Culture

North Carolina Set June 14 to Celebrate Igbo Culture

Published

1 year ago

June 19, 2025

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has officially proclaimed June 14, 2025, as “Igbo Day”, recognising the community’s vibrant heritage and contributions

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has officially declared June 14, 2025, as “Igbo Day” across the state. This proclamation honours the vibrant Igbo community, whose origins trace back to southeastern Nigeria.

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With thousands of Igbo residents, many living in the state for over half a century, this community has become an integral part of North Carolina’s social, economic, and cultural fabric.

In a statement signed by Governor Stein, he highlighted the extensive charitable involvement of Igbos in North Carolina and their significant contributions to the state’s economy.

He noted that they excel in fields such as education, law, medicine, information technology, and the arts, continually enriching communities in countless ways.

The proclamation also recognised the establishment of the non profit Igbo Day Festival Organisation in 2022. This group launched the first Igbo Day Festival on July 10 of that year.

The organisation’s mission is to educate the wider public on Igbo traditions through art, music, language, and communal values, while fostering a strong sense of identity among younger generations.

Beyond cultural preservation, the Igbo community has demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement and philanthropy.

Governor Stein’s statement detailed their volunteer efforts in local schools, support for food pantries, highway clean ups, and participation in outreach initiatives at women’s shelters and hospitals.

The official proclamation read: “WHEREAS, there are thousands of Igbo people in North Carolina, some of whom have lived here for over fifty years. WHEREAS, the Igbos are committed to preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage from Nigeria. Igbos in North Carolina are encouraged to connect, celebrate, and support one another, fostering a strong sense of unity, bonding, and belonging. WHEREAS, the Igbo community aspires to create an environment where their members thrive, traditions flourish, and their contributions to society are recognised and valued. Through their collective efforts, the Igbo community aims to inspire future generations to embrace their identity and to foster a strong sense of belonging and purpose within North Carolina.”

The proclamation continued by acknowledging the establishment of the Igbo Day Festival Organisation and its vision to be a thriving community that honours and promotes Igbo heritage while serving as a beacon of unity and cultural pride.

It also underscored the community’s economic contributions, participation in elections, and excellence across various professions, including state and federal government roles.

Governor Stein’s statement further emphasised their civic contributions: “WHEREAS they have volunteered in local schools, adopted a highway in North Carolina to aid cleaning efforts, supported women’s shelters and hospitals, organised food pantry drives, and participated in cultural performances at local festivals.”

The Governor concluded by proclaiming, “NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSH STEIN, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2025, as “IGBO DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.”

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This formal declaration marks a significant recognition of the Igbo community’s enduring impact and cultural legacy in North Carolina.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”